The objective of the present study was to evaluate the behavioural effects of Burdizzo
castration of crossbred beef calves when weaned and castrated separately (castrated
8 weeks after weaning) or in combination. Over two consecutive years a total of 111
Limousin
×
Simmental male calves were included in the study. At an age of 7 months calves
were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups and either weaned in week-8 (Bull-8;
N = 27); weaned in week-8 and castrated in week 0 (Cas-8; N = 26); weaned in week 0 (Bull-
0; N = 29); or weaned and castrated in week 0 (Cas-0; N = 29). The behaviour of the calves
including the number of vocalisations and time spent feeding, lying and standing/walking
was recorded during the first 3 days of week 0. Bull-8 and Cas-8 did not show any vocalisation
activity during the observation period. In contrast, Bull-0 and Cas-0, showed more
than 3 calls/10 min period on the first day, which decreased steadily until the third day in
both groups. In all groups the time spent feeding increased from day 1 to 3. Bull-8 animals
did not vary their standing/walking and lying behaviour, but Cas-8 increased the time spent
standing/walking and decreased lying. Bull-0 decreased the proportion of standing/walking
from approximately 60 to 40% and increased lying from 23 to more than 30%. A similar rate
of change with standing/walking decreasing from 70 to 50% and lying increasing from 12
to 20% was noted in Cas-0. Compared to bulls, castrates spent more time standing/walking
and less lying. From week-8 to 0, Bull-8 and Cas-8 gained about 700 g/d, whereas the 2
other groups gained more than 1.000 g/d. Average daily gains from week 0–3 of Cas-8 were
lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Burdizzo castration did not cause
considerable effects on the behaviour, whereas weaning had a pronounced impact. The
combination of both management procedures did not intensify the behavioural responses.
Therefore, it can be recommended for economical reasons (i.e. labour costs) to conduct
castration and weaning in steer production systems at the same time.